Barry Wallach Departs As President Of NBC Domestic TV Distribution

EXCLUSIVE: Barry Wallach has stepped down as President, NBCUniversal Domestic Television Distribution, a position he has held since May 2004. He is leaving the company, citing personal reasons (read his note to the company’s staff below). There will be no immediate replacement for Wallach, with Ted Harbert, Chairman, NBC Broadcasting, who oversees NBCU’s syndication arm, evaluating the future. “Barry has led our syndication business with great distinction,” Harbert said. “He has been a valued partner and colleague and I will deeply miss his wise counsel. We thank him for all that he has done for NBCUniversal and wish him nothing but continued success in the future.”

Wallach oversaw the development, production and distribution of first-run programming, along with the sales of off-network content. NBCU Domestic TV Distribution recently renewed breakout new syndicated talk show Steve Harvey, which the company distributes, along with fellow freshman Trisha Goddard. Other first-run nationally syndicated programs that the company distributes and produces include Access Hollywood, Maury, The Jerry Springer Show and The Steve Wilkos Show. Current off-network programming includes 30 Rock, House, the Law & Order franchise, Monk and The Office. Wallach previously served as EVP NBC Enterprises. Prior to joining NBC, he was EVP Domestic Syndication at CBS/Eyemark Entertainment.

After an incredible run at NBCUniversal, I want to share some news. I have been thinking for some time about the possibility of change and want you all to know that I have decided to leave the company in the coming weeks.

I am finally going to take a deep breath, stop traveling so much and spend some very important time with my family. I do intend on doing many things down the road but have no immediate plans.

The timing is perfect. I leave our business in terrific shape, coming off our most successful syndication season to date in both ratings and profitability. The momentum is on our side, and we are well positioned to achieve even bigger and better things in 2013 and beyond. I wouldn’t feel comfortable making this decision otherwise.

I am incredibly proud of all that we have accomplished together. This season’s successful launch of two more first run strips in Steve Harvey along with Trisha; Maury, Jerry and Wilkos keep getting better with age; Access Hollywood and Access Live continue to grow and prosper, and our shows are positioned, not only for now, but also through 2016. In offnet, we have maximized our two sitcoms, The Office and 30 Rock terrifically, and have uniquely marketed the three Law & Order series, along with House and Monk far more successfully than we could have imagined when we began that journey five years ago. When added all together, our group has accomplished so much, and it’s because of all of your hard work. From sales, to research, to marketing, PR, legal, biz affairs, the team in Canada, and all the programming and production folks in NY, LA, Stamford and Chicago, my thanks to you all.

I will genuinely miss my day-to-day interaction with what I consider to be the best team in the business. Ted and I have been discussing this for a while now and have already begun the transition process. We will continue to do that over the coming weeks.

My heartfelt thanks to you all for your support and friendship over the years. I am incredibly grateful and lucky.

6 Comments

Newman • on Jan 16, 2013 1:46 pm

Barry is a class act in what is not a very nice syndie world. Shame he is leaving

ed • on Jan 16, 2013 1:46 pm

Barry Wallach is a class act who is and was one of the best ever in the business. He knew his markets and clients like no one else, I was lucky enough to have worked with him on two different occasions. Good for him that he decided to do this
and spend time with the family he loves so much. The business will miss you, hopefully you’ll be back soon.

Jen Sarnoff • on Jan 16, 2013 1:46 pm

Whoever is the last one out, please turn out the lights…

OldSyndicationSoldiersFadeAway... • on Jan 16, 2013 1:46 pm

Second your motion, Newman, because Wallach has always been one of the few really stand-up guys in toss-and-tumble world of syndication.

It even makes me think of the sad day when the King brothers — masters of the three-ring, carnival-barking and entrepreneurial aspects of what once was a robust and diversified domestic syndication market — had to sell out to CBS…and eventually were forced out of the Eye Network conglomerate (where Wallach once worked, too).

It looks like that happy-go-lucky, strike your fortune in the Dale Carnegie-based sales world of syndication is rapidly fading away with Wallach hitting the road. I wish him the best of luck and good fortune in whatever he does next!

B- • on Jan 16, 2013 1:46 pm

I worked in Syndication at NBCUniversal and I will join the chorus of commenters who say that he is a class act. NBCUniversal’s Television Distribution arm does a very good job with half the staff of the bigger syndicators. Their Ad Sales team is a well oiled machine that produces quality.

I wish Mr. Wallach nothing but the best.

Jeff • on Jan 16, 2013 1:46 pm

Barry has been one of my closest and hardest working friends over the past 30 years. While the industry may need more people like him, his family needs him more. Congrats Barry, it’s time for you to take a breath and enjoy life.